FOR THE WANT OF A WASHER...

Malcolm Smith Racing Hard Parts Collection Saves The Day

June 1, 2016 Irvine, CA — Sometimes it is the simplest solutions that are the best… case and point the Malcolm Smith Racing Hard Parts Collection's dome washer. Found on current Beta, Husqvarna, KTM and other European 4-strokes, this small part can cause untold grief. It starts with some slight seepage from a little rubber O-ring behind the countershaft sprocket and progressively leads to the destruction of an entire bottom end (don't ask us how we know).

“Failure to anticipate or correct some initially small dysfunction leads by successively more critical stages, ultimately leading to a catastrophic failure,” says Jason Gearld, Brand Manager for Malcolm Smith Racing Hard Parts. “The OEM thrust washer is made of mildly heat treated material. When you tighten the countershaft bolt, it takes the washer well beyond its elastic limit and permanently deforms.” The first symptom of a problem is slight seepage from the case… a little leaked oil is hardly a cause for concern though, right?

“That is just the beginning,” cautions Gearld. “The flattened washer can't maintain the thrust pressure necessary to keep the sprocket tight on the splined shaft. That leads to two different failures. First, the O-ring is allowed enough clearance to start seeping. Worse the splined shaft and sprocket are allowed to more freely pound in each direction as the torque of power versus compression reverses itself.”

Eventually torque wins and the countershaft has to be replaced… to the tune of $700 in labor costs alone! It only takes .010″ of clearance (.25mm) to allow seepage, which is your warning sign. “There is an old poem that makes a case for our washers,” Jason notes:

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.

For want of a shoe the horse was lost.

For want of a horse the rider was lost.

For want of a rider the message was lost.

For want of a message the battle was lost.

For want of a battle the kingdom was lost...

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail!

In the case of KTMs, swap the word “washer” for nail, but you get the idea. “Made of heat-treated tool steel, the Malcolm Smith dome washer can handle two to three times the pre-load force without reaching its elastic limit and without over-stressing the mating components.” This solves the O-ring leakage problem as well as extending the life of both the countershaft and sprocket splines.

• Constructed of heat treated tool steel
• Prevents O-Ring wear or seepage behind the countershaft sprocket
• Reduces countershaft play
• Extends the life of the countershaft and sprocket splines
• Made in the USA

“Whether you are racing the 6 Days like Malcolm Smith and Ryan Sipes or riding with your buddies on any Sunday, our countershaft washer will keep the battle from being lost,” says Gearld. When you want a washer, get more details here:

http://msracing.com/index.php/default/ktm-hus-countershaft-washer.html

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About Malcolm Smith Racing HardParts:

Malcolm Smith Racing off-road products bear the name of the most legendary off-road racer of all time and we are honor-bound to live up to the legacy. Built to perform, to last and to survive more extreme conditions than your ordinary parts. Adhering to the strictest quality and safety standards, Malcolm Smith Racing believes in bringing products to the off-road community that provide riders reassurance so you can enjoy your passion. Our passion is to ensure that our riders have the ability to ride longer in adverse weather conditions and over difficult terrain with peace of mind. Malcolm Smith Racing is your brand and our goal is to offer you the best in off-road parts and accessories. For more information about the Malcolm Smith Hard Parts Collection, visit www.msracing.com